Social status and prestige in conditions of transnational migration. Ethnographic study among the Albanians from the Republic of Macedonia

The examination of social status in conditions of transnationalism is an important and fruitful topic since many of the social relations in which migrants find themselves involved in are paralleling or intersecting the social hierarchies and identities of both the destination and origin societies, ethnic communities and transnational social fields. It offers researchers good opportunity to examine the links between distribution of resources, expressions of power and dominance, representations of social identity, imaginaries of society etc. Proceeding from these assumptions, the article examines the dynamics of ways and mechanisms through which social status and prestige are gained, maintained and demonstrated among the Albanians from the Republic of Macedonia in conditions of transnational migrations continuing for decades. Three different domains are considered: the family regarding the inter-personal relationships; the community membership focusing on criteria of gaining and maintenance of reputation and prestige; and the Albanian community’s status claims and positioning in the Macedonian society in the context of Albanian-Macedonian relationships. The study is based on ethnographic research in several Albanian villages located in the regions of Skopje, Tetovo and Struga.